Business

NCAA Moves To Penalize Airlines in Nigeria for Misleading Departure Times

Published

5 months ago

July 10, 2024

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced it will impose penalty on airlines involved in misleading departure time scheduling.

Capt. Chris Najomo the Acting Director-General, conveyed this in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs/Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, on Tuesday.

The NCAA warned airlines to desist from such infractions or face severe regulatory actions.

“It has come to our notice that some airlines are being reported for advertising deceitful departure times”

“The NCAA regulation says no airline shall display deceitful passenger departure times at its counter, advert material, or on its website”

“We want to make it very clear that the D-GCA has directed monitoring and offenders will face serious regulatory actions,” Captain Najomo stated.

Najomo laid emphasis on the NCAA’s commitment to a business-friendly environment, while also stressing that operators must provide top-quality services to passengers.

Furthermore he stressed the Authority’s commitment to safety, discipline, and economic regulation, as demonstrated by the recent suspension of ten Permits for Non-Commercial Flights (PHCF) holders who failed to comply with the recertification advisory issued in April 2024.

Najomo highlighted the ease of doing business environment at the NCAA, noting it as an area of continuous improvement. The statement noted that his commitment is reflected in their high score on the Presidential Enabling Business Council (PEBEC) ranking, where the NCAA achieved an impressive 98.5%. This score builds on the commendable 71.04% the NCAA received during this year’s ICAO Security Audit.

He assured that the Authority will continue its efforts to enhance the industry’s safety and security for passengers and stakeholders.

Addressing the issue of refund processes by airlines, Najomo stated that all refunds must be processed without undue delays and concluded within 14 working days, regardless of the mode of ticket purchase.

Clarification on suspension of licenses for some private jet operators

Regarding the suspension of PHCF licenses for ten operators, Najomo explained that they were advised in April 2024 to start the recertification process but failed to comply, leaving the Authority no choice but to sanction them.

Najomo addressed misconceptions and misinformation from a recent publication that claimed the law surrounding the suspension of the ten PHCFs was outdated, among other accusations.

He described these allegations as either ignorant or deliberately misleading and explained that the Authority’s actions were based on the Civil Aviation Act of 2022.

He emphasized that the NCAA’s decision was part of its mandate to enforce compliance with civil aviation laws and regulations.

To ensure the integrity of the sector, the NCAA reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating illegal charter operators, who might have influenced the misleading publication

Business

Improve Cash Disbursement Amid Scarcity Complaints, CBN Orders Banks

Published

4 days ago

December 4, 2024

Samson Adeyanju

By Adenike Lawal

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has directed Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), to enhance cash disbursement processes at counters and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), to address the ongoing cash shortage across the country.

This directive was detailed in a statement co-signed by Muhammed Olayemi, Acting Director of Currency Operations, and Aisha Isa-Olatinwo, Acting Director of Branch Operations.

The move follows widespread complaints from bank customers about the difficulty in accessing cash.

The CBN’s intervention is aimed at alleviating these challenges and ensuring smoother currency circulation nationwide.

The apex bank also urged affected customers to report issues with cash availability, whether at ATMs or bank branches, using designated complaint channels.

This initiative is intended to help the CBN identify and resolve bottlenecks hindering cash accessibility.

To facilitate investigations, customers are advised to provide detailed information, including their account name, the name of the bank involved, the amount they attempted to withdraw, and the time and date of the incident.

For swift resolution, complaints can be lodged through phone numbers specific to local CBN branches or via email addresses provided by the central bank.

The CBN reiterated its commitment to ensuring citizens have reliable access to cash and minimizing disruptions to economic activities caused by scarcity.

Business

PENCOM Allows Low-Income Earners to Withdraw Entire Retirement Savings

Published

5 days ago

December 3, 2024

Samson Adeyanju

By Cynthia Abah

Pensioners with low earnings can now choose to withdraw their entire retirement savings in a lump sum or continue receiving monthly pension payments, pending the approval of the Minimum Pension Guarantee.

This change was announced in a memo from the National Pension Commission (PenCom), signed by A.M. Salem, Head of the Surveillance Department, and made public in Abuja on Monday.

The memo, dated November 27, 2024, aligns with a new provision (4.1(g)) in the revised regulation on the administration of retirement and terminal benefits, following the introduction of the new national minimum wage of N70,000.

Previously, retirees could only withdraw one-third of their total Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs). However, the new regulation, prompted by the increase in the minimum wage, allows retirees whose RSA balance is insufficient to provide a pension of at least one-third of the N70,000 (i.e., N23,333.33) to withdraw the full balance in a lump sum.

The memo, addressed to pension fund administrators and custodians, referenced the National Minimum Wage Act signed by President Bola Tinubu on July 29, 2024.

It mandates that pension fund administrators apply the N70,000 minimum wage when processing retirement benefits.

Retirees whose monthly or quarterly pensions fall below N23,333.33 may opt to either withdraw their full RSA balance or continue receiving their current pension until the Minimum Pension Guarantee is established.

The memo also detailed the process for retirees requesting full access to their RSA balance. Pension fund administrators are instructed to submit the retiree’s request to PenCom, along with a consent form, signed application letter, and payment schedule.

The circular, which is effective immediately, emphasizes the importance of full compliance with the new guidelines.

Business

Air Peace Partners Opay to Enhance Payment Flexibility for Customers

Published

6 days ago

December 2, 2024

Admin

By Adenike Lawal

Air Peace, West Africa’s largest airline, has announced a strategic partnership with Opay Payment Services, integrating its platform into the airline’s Internet Booking Engine (IBE).

This collaboration introduces multiple payment options, including Bank Card, Opay Wallet, Bank Transfer, and USSD, aimed at enhancing transaction security and convenience for customers booking flights.

Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, Head of Corporate Communications at Air Peace, highlighted the airline’s commitment to meeting evolving customer needs through innovative solutions.

He stated that the integration of Opay’s services aligns with the airline’s vision to offer secure and flexible payment methods within a user-friendly interface, enhancing the overall travel experience.

This initiative is the latest in a series of customer-focused innovations by Air Peace.

In October 2022, the airline partnered with Kalabash to launch the Pay-Small-Small scheme, allowing customers to pay for tickets in installments.

Additionally, the airline collaborated with AIICO Insurance to provide travel insurance, underscoring its dedication to passenger safety and convenience.

Founded in 2013, Air Peace has consistently positioned itself as a leader in service innovation within the aviation sector.

The airline continues to expand its domestic and international routes while leveraging technology to simplify travel for passengers.

With a commitment to connecting regions and delivering world-class service, Air Peace remains at the forefront of enhancing the travel experience for its customers across Africa and beyond.